CVE-2021-44028 in KACE Desktop Authority
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2021
XXE can occur in Quest KACE Desktop Authority before 11.2 because the log4net configuration file might be controlled by an attacker, a related issue to CVE-2018-1285.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44028 represents a critical XML External Entity processing flaw within Quest KACE Desktop Authority software prior to version 11.2. This weakness stems from the software's reliance on log4net configuration files that can potentially be manipulated by malicious actors, creating an avenue for unauthorized data access and system compromise. The vulnerability directly relates to CVE-2018-1285, indicating a pattern of configuration management issues that persist across software versions and highlight fundamental security gaps in how external entity references are handled within enterprise management platforms.
The technical flaw manifests when an attacker can influence or control the log4net configuration file used by the KACE Desktop Authority system. This configuration file typically manages logging parameters and can contain external entity declarations that, when improperly validated, allow attackers to reference external resources. The vulnerability occurs because the system does not adequately sanitize or restrict external entity references within these configuration files, enabling attackers to craft malicious XML payloads that can be processed by the application. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform server-side request forgery attacks, potentially accessing internal network resources, reading local files, or even executing arbitrary code depending on the system's configuration and available resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a significant attack surface for enterprise environments where KACE Desktop Authority is deployed. Organizations using affected versions face potential unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, system reconnaissance capabilities, and possible lateral movement within network perimeters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where desktop authority tools are used for privileged access management, as successful exploitation could lead to elevated privileges and broader system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into internal network structures, access restricted resources, or establish persistent access points within the enterprise infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-44028 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 11.2 or later, which addresses the log4net configuration file handling issues. Organizations should also implement strict access controls over configuration files, ensuring that only authorized administrators can modify log4net settings and that file permissions are properly configured to prevent unauthorized modifications. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious XML processing activities, while security teams should conduct thorough reviews of all external entity references within application configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and represents a variant of the broader XML external entity attack pattern that has been documented in numerous enterprise applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and XML validation mechanisms to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in their infrastructure.